Join the Kidō Corps?
Faced with the question from Kidō instructor Tsuno Haruki, Kurotsuki Renya was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected his first formal invitation to come from the Kidō Corps itself.
Tsuno Haruki nodded, his expression serious.
"Renya, you've absorbed Kidō faster than most, and you've already grasped the fundamentals of casting without incantation. Your talent in Kidō is undeniable. Joining the Kidō Corps would be the best way to make full use of that gift."
Renya hesitated. He knew that mastering Kidō to its ultimate level could make someone extremely powerful—on par with a Gotei 13 captain in some cases. But even among captains, the ones who reached that level of power rarely relied solely on Kidō in battle.
He thought of the threats he knew would one day emerge—Sōsuke Aizen among them. Aizen could cast the highest-level Hadō, like Hadō #99 Goryūtenmetsu, and unleash complex, high-tier Kidō like Hadō #96 Ittō Kasō without hesitation. His skill with Kidō was virtually unmatched… and yet Kidō was only one facet of his strength.
If Renya committed himself entirely to the Kidō Corps, his training would almost all center on Kidō mastery. Even after obtaining his Zanpakutō, he would still be expected to rely heavily on Kidō. That wasn't the path he envisioned for himself.
Renya's goal was clear—before obtaining his Zanpakutō, Kidō would be his main focus. But afterward, it would take a supporting role behind his swordsmanship and other combat skills.
Seeing his hesitation, Tsuno Haruki added, "If you join the Kidō Corps, I could give you extra training outside regular classes. That would speed up your mastery considerably. And once you graduate, you'd have a guaranteed position."
The offer was tempting—private lessons from a Kidō expert. But after a moment's thought, Renya shook his head.
"Sensei… I don't plan to join the Kidō Corps after graduation."
Tsuno looked puzzled. "Why not?"
Renya replied firmly, "I intend to make my Zanpakutō my primary weapon. The role of the Kidō Corps isn't the same as that of a Gotei 13 combat division. Their main duties involve opening Senkaimon gates, maintaining barriers, performing seals, and support work. They rarely take part in direct combat on the front lines."
In the events Renya knew would unfold, Kidō Corps members like Hachigen Ushōda of the Visoreds or Yukio Okikiba would play valuable roles—but in most cases, they weren't fighting as vanguard warriors.
"I want to fight where it matters most—on the battlefield. Not from behind the lines."
Tsuno Haruki gave a small nod, understanding his reasoning, though he clearly wasn't ready to give up on such a promising student.
"Very well, Renya. You can make your final decision after graduation. But until then, I'll still train you. We'll cover as many Kidō spells as possible before you leave. Deal?"
Renya's eyes lit up. "You mean it?"
"Of course. Every afternoon after the second class, we'll meet for private training."
The Shin'ō Academy schedule consisted of six classes per day—four in the morning, two in the afternoon—ending around 4:30 PM. Renya was genuinely excited. Private Kidō lessons from Tsuno Haruki were a rare opportunity, but he also felt a twinge of guilt toward his friends.
That day's Kidō class ended shortly after. Tsuno dismissed the students with a warning:
"Train well. The next class will be an assessment, and anyone who fails will face consequences."
Renya agreed to meet him later that day and left the training hall.
It was midday, so he found Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, and the others in the cafeteria for lunch. When Renya told them about the private lessons, Renji, Rukia, and Mori Hiromi gave polite smiles, but he could see the disappointment behind them.
Renya's growing reputation as a prodigy at the Shin'ō Academy meant his friends were often labeled as "Kurotsuki Renya's childhood companions" or "Renya's classmates," rather than being recognized for their own merits. The brighter his star shone, the more their own light seemed to fade. The lunch was quieter than usual.
Renya didn't dwell on it. After returning to the dorms for a short rest, he headed to his afternoon class—Hakuda (hand-to-hand combat), which was taught alongside Zanjutsu and Hohō in later years.
Hakuda at the Academy covered two main forms—striking techniques (punches, kicks) and grappling (throws, joint locks). Over time, the style evolved to incorporate multiple martial disciplines.
This was the subject Renya struggled with the most. Physically, he was still small—barely 1.4 meters tall—and despite being thirteen years old, he looked closer to eleven. His growth had already slowed due to his steadily increasing spiritual pressure, and he knew that in Soul Society, spiritual growth often froze physical aging. Tōshirō Hitsugaya had remained childlike in appearance for decades, even as his power reached captain-class.
Because of his size, Renya was often paired against smaller, less physically imposing opponents—usually young female students. Even then, his win rate wasn't great without relying on spiritual pressure. Fortunately, the final Hakuda exams graded form and technique, not victories.
By the end of the session, Renya's body ached, but he kept his appointment with Tsuno Haruki.
In the training room, Tsuno first had him refine Hadō #1 Shō until its force reached maximum output. Though Renya could already cast it without incantation, its raw power was still underdeveloped—much like how Rukia Kuchiki's Shō could send enemies flying several meters, whereas his still barely pushed opponents back.
After dozens of repetitions, Tsuno introduced Hadō #31 Shakkahō—a focused blast of crimson energy that struck with both heat and concussive force. Renya quickly realized its drawback: it was easily countered by an equally well-timed Shō or other energy-disrupting technique.
After learning the spell, Tsuno ordered him to practice independently. By the time Renya left the training hall, the campus was nearly empty, moonlight casting silver shadows across the quiet grounds.
It was the first time he had walked alone at night here. A sense of isolation washed over him. His schedule now left little time for his friends, and their bond was slowly loosening.
But Renya knew this was the path he had chosen.
To protect those he cared for, he had to grow strong enough to stand between them and any threat—no matter how lonely that path became.